Beckham: I wasn't fit to lead England to victory

David Beckham has admitted for the first time that he was not fit to lead England's ill-fated attempt to win Euro 2004 - and that his recent problems on and off the pitch have been taking a heavy toll.

The England captain, who has been widely criticised for a series of largely anonymous performances in Portugal, claims that an inadequate fitness regime at his Spanish club left him well below his peak physical condition.

Beckham said: 'I don't think we've done as much conditioning work at Real Madrid as we used to do at Manchester United [whom he left in 2003].

'I didn't feel as fit in the second half of the season as I did in the first half. Maybe that's the way the Spanish game is.'

Asked if his lack of fitness had spilled over into Euro 2004, he replied: 'Yes, maybe it has.'

Beckham has had to defend himself since England lost on penalties to Portugal in the quarter-finals in Lisbon Thursday night.

Sources inside the England camp say he was well below ideal fitness levels when he joined the squad. Fitness coaches had to give him extra sessions.

Beckham also suggested that recent troubles, including claims that he betrayed his wife Victoria by having two affairs, have been getting on top of him. 'It has been tough this season on and off the pitch because of certain situations, but I am strong enough,' he said.

'I've got to be strong because I am a father who has got to look after two young boys and my wife. When I'm down they pick me up and when they're down I pick them up.'